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Benefits of LED Streetlights for Spring Weather

March showers may bring May flowers, but it also causes poor driving conditions. Spring weather is a mess of rain, thunderstorms, and fog. All of these conditions prove to be hazardous when driving, even without the slicks roads of winter. Yet, with LED streetlights, driving in unpredictable spring weather has become safer.

Spring Showers = Low Visibility

Rain and fog in and of themselves are not the main culprits of poor driving conditions. When paired with your bright headlights, visibility begins to depreciate. Rain makes your car’s headlights and other sources of light less effective, making the road ahead less illuminated than in dry conditions. Rain is also capable of making it harder for your eyes to see light, as the moisture scatters the majority of light that shines through it.

When this happens, drivers tend to compensate by focusing straight ahead on the road. This seemingly safe tactic is actually more dangerous, as drivers become less aware of their peripheral vision.

Foggy Driving Weather

Rain is not the only type of moisture that creates poor driving conditions. Fog can also be quite dangerous to venture out into. One of the first things taught in driving school is to never turn on your brights, as this only makes the fog appear denser and lessens your already impaired visibility. Due to fog lowering contrast, objects become fainter and less distinct, making navigating roads dangerous.

Safer Spring Roads with LEDs

There are three main advantages to LED lighting in terms of spring weather conditions.

The first is the directionality of the beam of light. LED streetlights shine all of their light on the roads, not up and out like traditional bulbs. This means more light is shining where it is needed during hazardous driving conditions: on the road.

Secondly, the wavelength characteristics of white LED lighting. Water droplets interact and affect light differently depending on the wavelength and size of the water droplet. Lights that emit energy in the blue wavelength, like LEDs in the 4500k to 6000k color temperature range, perform better in low visibility.

Thirdly, the frequency of LEDs wavelength in comparison to more traditional streetlights. In rainy and foggy conditions water particles are increased to a size that is comparable to the size of yellow-orange-red wavelengths. This means they are more likely to scatter this type of light. Yet, as they are closer in size to blue wavelengths, the blue/white light, such as LED light, will be able to pass through the moisture, making for better visibility.